CC HEADQUARTERS
Kro sat in the meeting room, confused. Friday night: the building almost empty, just her and Sue with their cups of coffee.
She had 2 files in front of her; Misaki's and Ukraine's, the top 2 candidates from the interview. Kro, a busy woman who just lost her trusted assistant, needed a replacement as soon as possible.
"Miss Kro, if you ask me, I think Misaki deserves to be in my department. She's smart, and ambitious. In short, she's a treasure.", said Sue.
"So, you're saying Ukraine should be my temporary assistant? I doubt it. He looks too perfect to handle my business. He looked like someone who used to have his own assistant.", argued Kro.
"I don't think so. He's just a graduate, a 26-year-old graduate.",
"First of all, I doubt if he's even 26. He doesn't look that young and certainly doesn't look too old.",
"You mean to say he lied about himself?",
Kro sharpky exhaled, "Anyway, let's do this. I'm going to give Misaki back to you. Email the list of successful candidates to the HR department before midnight. I want everyone to be informed by Sunday, so I expect all the new recruits to be here on Monday morning, got it?",
"Got it, boss. How about Ukraine?",
"Give him a call and inform him of his new job as my temporary personal assistant until I find an excellent person for this position.",
"Temporarily? So, when you find the perfect assistant, Ukraine will be fired?",
"No, he'll come to your department, doing the job he applied for in the first place.",
Sue agreed. She gave her body a stretch after sitting in the room for hours,
"It makes sense.", Sue said, convinced.
"I always make sense Sue.",
"Yes, you do.",
Sue put the files together and stood up
"Boss, I'll see you on Monday. Have a great weekend",
"I just lost Loro, so I doubt I will. You should have a great weekend.",
"My mother-in-law still doesn't want to give my daughter back, so no great weekend for me too. Let's just take a breather, everything will go by fast.",
Kro nodded. After Sue left, she also took her things and headed downstairs where the driver waited for her.
...…
Saturday
Ukraine woke up a bit late. He was exhausted by many things, one of it being the thought of his mission. The weather outside was gloomy. It looked like it was going to rain heavily any time soon. His face slowly lighted up. It was his favorite weather.
He was in a strangely good mood. He started playing his favorite songs, singing and dancing around the room, holding an imaginary guitar and microphone, proving that age is really just a number.
Music suddenly stopped when his phone started ringing. He rushed to get it. On the screen was a new number. But although Ukraine hated responding calls from unknown numbers, that day he did.
"Ukraine speaking.", he answered,
"Good morning, Ukraine. This is Sue, the MD of Century Cosmetics. I'm calling to inform you that you got the job as_",
"I GOT THE JOB? OH, THANK YOU SO MUCH! REALLY, THANK YOU, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, THANK YOU!", he blurted out, overwhelmed by excitement.
"Ukraine, you have to listen first. You got a job in my team, the marketing team, but the president just lost her personal assistant 5 days ago and she needs a temporary replacement.",
Things began to quiet down.
"Wa _ wait. Are you saying I'm supposed to assist her for the time being?", he asked, now anxious.
"Just for a month. We'll understand if you say no.",
"If I _ if I say no, will it jeopardize my chance to join the marketing team?",
"If I was the president I'd just understand, but Miss Kro isn't like me. So yes, it will jeopardize your chance of joining the marketing team and Century Cosmetics.",
He swallowed a nervous gulp, "Can I please think about it?",
"How long do you need?",
"A day or two.",
"You've got to be joking.", Sue scoffed, "This is CC Cosmetics. If we had time to waste, we wouldn't be here right now. I expect an answer from you in an hour.",
Ukraine heaved an exhale. Frustration grew each second.
"Fine. I'll call you in an hour.",
"Great!",
Sue hung up.
Ukraine wiped his hand across his face, staggered. His aim was to work closer to Kro, but he had no idea that it'd be that close. He had to sit down and feel his nerves trembling.
...…
SEKI
Misaki had been summoned by her father. Since it wasn't the first time, she was unbothered. She arrived at the minister's house, guards treating him like a princess she was.
Her parents were in the dining room, having their breakfast. Misaki just smiled her way to the table and sat next to her mother. It wasn't much of an entrance since everyone was expecting her.
Minister Akeshi waited until he emptied his cup of tea. All this time he threw judgy glances at his daughter, and Misaki did get the message.
"I hear you went for the interview last Saturday.", he commenced.
"Yeah, I did.", answered Misaki.
"Is that what you really want? Did you have to do that?",
"Do what? I don't understand.",
"I have a list of all the best beauty companies in the world. All you have to do is choose one and the job is yours.",
"I already applied for the best beauty company in the world.", she said.
"First of all, you won't get the job because the CEO is a bitch. And second, this is me giving you a choice; either do what I say or cut me off.",
"You're my father, and that will never change. I don't want to be locked up in your world all my life. Keep doing your politics and let me do my own thing.",
"No!",
Misaki faced her mother, "Don't you get tired of this conversation? I am, that's why I moved to my own house, just to avoid all this.",
"Just listen to your dad, Misaki.", begged the mom.
"You too mom? Oh, come on! What's wrong with this house?", she paused, "Guys, I love you, but I'm not your little girl anymore. Let me pave walk my own path.",
"What if I tell you that the CEO of that company is my greatest enemy?", asked minister Akeshi, agitated.
Before Misaki responded, her phone dinged, followed by a text notification popping on the screen. The number was new, but from the message, it became clear to her of where it came from.
MISAKI AKESHI,
WE'RE HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT YOU GOT A JOB AT CC
COSMETICS AS A MEMBER OF OUR MARKETING TEAM.
PLEASE CONTACT THE NUMBER BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CLARIFICATIONS AND FURTHER QUESTIONS. THANK YOU
Grinning proudly, she showed the text to her parents. The surprised looks on their faces gave her maximum satisfaction. She pulled the chair back and got up.
"Even God has been on my side all this time. I'm finally cutting off the leash father. I hope we don't cross the line to each other's personal lives anymore.",
Misaki walked out of the room feeling so proud of herself. Embarrassment sparked under the minister's eyes. Jaws clenched; he burned deep within from the rage he felt towards Kro. For some reason he took it as a challenge.
...…
Sunday Evening
Columbarium
Ukraine didn't understand why Sue asked him to go there. As he got off his car, his body felt a dark sensation. In his head, he thought he was going to meet Sue. He had no clue of who was waiting for him inside.
He read the text again and the address was correct. Now he was supposed to get in the building and look for section E. It took him almost 5 minutes to arrive. He stood by the door, feeding his fear with scary imaginations.
Finally, he took a deep breath and slid the door open.
His eyes met a woman's back, in a black dress. Her wavy ponytail ran down her waist. A very familiar scent filled the room, and the moment he remembered where he felt it before his heart almost stopped. He looked around, hoping there were people around, but unfortunately for him, it was just them two, him and Kro.
"Come in, Ukraine, and close the door.", said Kro, standing still, facing forward.
"Ye _ yes.",
He closed the door behind him and took no step forward. He didn't want to go any closer.
Kro looked back and found him standing so far.
"What are you doing there? Come pay your respects to Loro, the person you're about to replace.", she ordered him.
"Ye _ yes.",
Ukraine walked closer. He now managed to see what Kro was staring at all that time. A happy photo of Loro and Kro rested beside a jade urn. Ukraine bowed as a sign of respect to Loro.
"Loro died 6 days ago, 70 years of age. She was always there for me just like a mother I never had. I never thought her death would hurt me like this.", said Kro calmly as she stared at the photo.
Ukraine said nothing. He kept looking at Kro's smile in that photo. It was the first time he saw her smiling. Kro looked at him. Ukraine had to do the same, but his head lowered, too scared to make eye contact.
"I'm a very hard pill to swallow.", she told him, "It's challenging to work for me. I have many rules. I get pissed off easily. Sometimes I don't look impressed even if I am. My mood swings are sky high, and I hate excuses. I know we're going to be working this close for 1 month, but I hope you won't give me up after just a few days.",
Ukraine nodded.
What he was not expecting was Kro stretching her hand out for a handshake. He looked at the hand as if it had spikes. His head got bombarded with scary imaginations. What if he holds the hand and gets electrified? What if he holds her hand and Kro sees right through him?
"Ukraine, your hand", said Kro after seeing him freeze.
"S _ sorry", he stammered.
Ukraine, with a racing heart, finally touched Kro's hand. Immediately, he raised his head. Disbelief creased his handsome face. From how humanly Kro looked, he had no idea how ice cold her body was.
"A corpse!", he inwardly said, completely flabbergasted.
*****